Advice before buying on MB R class, please

[sofianw211]

Hi Everyone
I have an estate E220 cdi 7 Seater and kids are getting biggere and started to complain about the two small seaters in the back. I looked for a spacious 7 seaters and R class seems to be the one. I was wwondering if anyone has experience on them before buying. Reason I am asking because I remember one firend had it and it was always causing him trouble. So want anyone with hands on experience please. Any other suggestion are welcome too. I am not dying on R class.
Regards

 

[ALFAitalia]

I think this guy has one.... might be worth a chat!

 

[T5R+]

If budget allows - get down to "Charles Sidney" on Thornton Road aka MB dealership, GLE is a lovely car.

R Class - is one of those that is rare and so not masses of owner information available. As with all cars - you could land on good one or a Friday afternoon car,

 

[markjay]

Avoid any models with the BlueTec* designation - it's a potential money pit. The CDI models are fine, as are the (rare) petrol ones.

* Not to be confused with BlueEFFICIENCY, which is something completely different, and is absolutely fine.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I’ve never owned an R-Class, but I have driven them - and been driven in them - and they’re a great car, spacious too. Luggage space is limited if driving with all 6 or 7 seats in use though.

I’ve owned a 2007 ML - which sits on the same platform and so shares much with the R-Class - for many years and 135,000 miles, and it’s been a great car. Absolutely love it.

Try to find a peach, and if you can’t find one then just avoid the lemons.

PS The GL had 7 seats, and again shared the same platform as the ML and R.

 

[Chrishazle]

Have you seen one in the flesh, they're bloody enormous, you'd need 2 parking bays at any supermarket, fore and aft as well as side by side! I had one alongside me in my S204 and thought it was a minibus, also a neighbour had one for a while parked on the road in our cul-de-sac, wondered if the emergency services could get past it (the bin men did, so it's not as bad as I thought!). Not sure if he's on here or t'other side (Mercedes-Benz Owners' Forums) but has one and sings its praises.

 

[MD5]

I needed a big vehicle for a seasonal business, and didn't fancy a van so I bought a 6 seater '57 plate R320L, which I had for nearly 7 years. I did about 15k miles and sold it with 87k on the clock.

Cargo space was more important to me than bums on seats, but as Bobby says, there's very little luggage space behind the third row, so I'd definitely buy a 7 seater if I had another, as we often travel five up.

The previous owner dealt with the faulty conductor plate gearbox issues they can be prone to, and I avoided any of the OM642 engine issues that are worth researching. In my time, apart from servicing, I had the rear airbags replaced, most of the wheel speed sensors, an engine heater plug, which snapped whilst being re, and a fuel pipe in the engine bay.

I thoroughly enjoyed the car, which improved, looks wise, with the facelift, but it had been well looked after throughout its life. Make sure the sunroof works, and service history is very important.

 

[sofianw211]

cannot thank you enough everyone here, you really helped a lot. I think R class is not for me anymore.

 

[Darrell]

I quite like the look of them tbh. Saw this one last year at a bicycle ride out.

 

[sofianw211]

I quite like the look of them tbh. Saw this one last year at a bicycle ride out.

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that was one of the reasons i liked them too

 

[Darrell]

I quite like the look of them tbh. Saw this one last year at a bicycle ride out.


View attachment 165835

 

[Smiley]

Cough.....take a look at the Toyota Previa for a spacious reliable 7 seater; the petrol autos are better than the diesels.

 

[MD5]

I was always a bit iffy about the looks, but curiosity and need got the better of me. I decided on a Tuesday I might like an R class, and I picked one up 5 days later. The seller sounded good and the car looked immaculate. A train trip later and a deal was done. I'm not a 4x4 fan, but it always offered a sense of occasion and I grew to like the looks. Gone, but not forgotten!

 

[sofianw211]

I was always a bit iffy about the looks, but curiosity and need got the better of me. I decided on a Tuesday I might like an R class, and I picked one up 5 days later. The seller sounded good and the car looked immaculate. A train trip later and a deal was done. I'm not a 4x4 fan, but it always offered a sense of occasion and I grew to like the looks. Gone, but not forgotten!

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View attachment 165843

I like the story telling sense you have! keep your talent up Bro, lol. Thanks for your input though

 

[BTB 500]

My in-laws had a petrol R350 (LWB, but an older one so only 6 seats) for a good few years with very few issues. As mentioned it's essentially an ML underneath. But ... there's some weight/complexity penalty for 4WD, which you may not really need.

The Viano would be an alternative MB option if you need a lot of seats and luggage space. Yes it's essentially a luxurious van but if you can get over that they drive pretty decently and are well equipped. We've run a 6-seat Vito Dualiner (with the OM642 V6) as a family car for 17 years now. It's under 2 metres tall so goes in multi-stories etc. fine, and with Parktronic it's not too bad to park. There's not much difference in length/width compared to a R Class.